Every Hole at Shinnecock Hills: History, U.S. Open Strategy, and More

Like most great opening holes, No. 1 at Shinnecock Hills establishes the primary themes of the course: the importance of the wind; the use of diagonals, offsets, and doglegs; the demand to match line with distance on every shot; and the critical strategic role of runoffs around the green. "Westward Ho" embodies much of what makes Shinnecock unique — just in a friendlier manner than most other holes on the course.

This handsome, challenging par 3 deserves more recognition in the international canon of long one-shotters. The "S"-shape formed by the fairway, green, and bunkers is a brilliant match for the prevailing wind.

"Peconic" is unlikely to make anyone's list of the most memorable holes at Shinnecock, but the sneaky complexity of the tee shot makes it a good par 4.

“Pump House” is the least distinguished leg of Shinnecock’s’ first triangle, but that’s just a testament to the strength of the fifth and sixth holes. No. 4 is a fine par 4, with a well-tuned strategic design and a striking green.

“Montauk” is at its best when the right fairway is a legitimate option. Unfortunately, in a summer wind, that’s rarely the case. Nonetheless, the slanting landing zones and sadistic exterior contours of the green make the hole exciting to play and watch year-round. While the U.S. Open telecast focuses on Nos. 10 and 11, the nerds will cluster around the fifth green.

Whether inspired by the Channel hole or not, the sixth at Shinnecock Hills is a beautiful rendition of a double-fairway par 4. The green design is particularly clever, with its back-to-front slope and exterior swales influencing strategic choices all the way back to the tee.

Shinnecock’s Redan certainly has a knack for creating drama, in both everyday rounds and U.S. Opens. Yet it is a peculiarly one-dimensional hole. Because of the height and severity of the front of the green, run-up shots — which the best Redans accommodate — are rarely successful. In addition, the green is barely functional at modern speeds; only a couple of pin positions in the middle-left portion of the putting surface remain viable.

We wouldn’t be surprised to see “Lowlands” become the go-to hipster pick for favorite hole at the 2026 U.S. Open. This unassuming par 4 has an unusual strategic configuration and a cunningly designed green. And, when played into a lively summer wind, it becomes a stern test. One for the sickos.

Some dislike the ninth hole, finding the hanging lies in the fairway and the sudden ascent to the green awkward. But the three-bowl structure of the fairway, paired with the feeding slope that takes up the right half of the green, makes No. 9 as interesting as it is impressive.

The 10th at Shinnecock Hills represents Flynn at his best. It is challenging and strategically sophisticated, but not chiefly because of the architect’s interventions. The hole simply reacts to a unique, stunning piece of land.

“Hill Head” deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as the 12th at Augusta National, the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, and the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon: a diminutive par 3 that looms large in the player’s consciousness from the beginning of the round.

The 12th is one of the handsomest holes at Shinnecock, draped artfully over fine topography. It is strategically compelling, too, when players feel challenged to carry the fairway bunkers and must consider laying up. In high-level men’s competition, unfortunately, this would only be the case in a north/northeast wind — a rarity in the warm months.

On a calm day, the tee shot on the 13th can be a little dull, especially given that the preferred side of the fairway is undefended. But the treacherousness of the green — not to mention the beauty of its shaping — makes the hole memorable.

“Thom’s Elbow” is Shinnecock in a nutshell: ferociously challenging on every shot, but also intelligently designed to assess the player’s mastery of wind, terrain, and angles. Is it fun to play? Not really. But it’s an excellent test.

On the one hand, No. 15 gets overshadowed — justifiably, perhaps — by the two world-class holes that it connects. On the other, with its cleverly oriented fairway and quietly challenging green, “Sebonac” is a strong hole in its own right.

With its nuanced design and unforgettable setting, the 16th hole at Shinnecock Hills marks the peak of one of the greatest back nines in golf.

The 17th might not make an immediate impression, but after a few plays, its subtle challenges — the opposition of the wind and the green orientation, the up-and-over profile of the putting surface, the difficulty of the shots around the green — garner respect.

“Home” sums up the greatest strengths of Shinnecock Hills: its soul comes from its use of the land, but its teeth are found in the green.